The issue of the recovery of Greek citizenship from members of the former royal family is heading towards a definitive end as on Thursday afternoon Interior Minister Thodoris Livanios signed the relevant act.

The approval was given shortly after the filing of the declaration at the Athens Registry Office, in which the members of the former royal family confirmed that they respect the Constitution and the constitution of Greece, renounced any kind of claims and at the same time informed that they wish to be called by the surname “De Grece“.

The request was immediately forwarded to the Minister of the Interior, who was asked to examine whether the requirements of the law were met.

Now, the signed decision is expected to be officially published in the Government Gazette probably within the day.

Next, the ten former royal family members will have to register in the Citizens’ Registry, which will allow them to obtain a Greek identity card and passport, as they have had Danish ones until now. It should be noted that the special regime governing the acquisition of citizenship by members of the former royal family does not provide for the swearing-in procedure.

What they said in the application

The application was made by ten members of the former royal family, namely the five children of Constantine, the children of Pavlos and Alexia.

In the petition, they were all asked to declare their respect for the Constitution and the Constitution of the country and to accept the result of the 1974 referendum that ended royalty in Greece. They also declared the surname “De Grece.”

Earlier, Interior Ministry Secretary General Thanasis Balerbas told ERT that the recognition of Greek citizenship “does not constitute a grant or attribution, but is done through a specific procedure.”